Policies & Procedures
Administrative Procedure: 7015
ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, HASHISH, CANNABIS ITEMS, AND OTHER DRUGS
In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and the Drug-Free Workplace Act (DFWA), the College prohibits the unlawful possession, sale, use, or distribution of alcohol, marijuana, hashish, cannabis items, and illicit drugs on campus or as a part of college-sponsored events.
The College’s commitment to the well-being and safety of all its employees, students, and visitors as well as the College’s obligations under various federal, state, and local laws, including the DFSCA, require publication of its policy on alcohol, marijuana, hashish, cannabis items, and substance abuse; the availability of employee treatment services, student counseling and community resources; and the imposition of sanctions for violations of standards of conduct.
Publication of Substance Abuse Policy
Each employee is required to read and sign off on the College’s Alcohol, Marijuana, Hashish, Cannabis Items, and Other Drugs (AMHCOD) policy annually as part of the employee’s hiring orientation.
Faculty and Student Handbooks are published annually which include standards of conduct, the Board’s policy on AMHCOD, and related policies. An email is sent annually to all personnel and students that include instructions on how to access the College’s policies and procedures. The AMHCOD Policy is specifically referenced in the email.
The College’s policies and administrative procedures are posted on the College website and are included in the annual College catalog.
The AMHCOD policy brochures are published and distributed to employees and students. This brochure includes the AMHCOD policy, describes legal sanctions and health risks associated with substance abuse, and lists College and community resources to assist students and employees with substance abuse problems.
Drug, alcohol, marijuana, hashish, and cannabis items awareness workshops are held on campus for all to attend.
Illicit Drugs, Medical Marijuana, Hashish, Cannabis Items, and Alcohol on Campus
Illicit Drugs
The intent of, actual distribution of, sale of, or manufacturing of drugs, narcotics, barbiturates, hallucinogens, marijuana, hashish, cannabis items, steroids, amphetamines, or any other controlled substance is prohibited. The possession or use of controlled dangerous substances, marijuana, hashish, cannabis items, steroids, or narcotics, including but not limited to, opium (morphine, codeine, heroin), prescription drugs in possession of someone other than the prescribed individual, misuse of prescribed drugs, and every other substance chemically distinguishable from them (i.e., imitation products, such as bath salts and/ or K2) as well as any drug paraphernalia, on campus or in any College-sponsored events/activities premises is prohibited.
Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana, while legally permitted in New Jersey under the “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act,” is prohibited on the College campus. The College is subject to the Controlled Substances Act, which classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug. Accordingly, the use, possession, cultivation, or sale of marijuana violates federal policy. Importantly, federal grants are subject to the College’s compliance with the DFSCA and DFWA, which also prohibit the College from allowing any form of marijuana use on campus.
Although students and employees who legally obtain a medical marijuana identification card from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Serves are allowed to possess and consume certain quantities of marijuana, doing so is not permitted on the College’s property or at College-sponsored events (either on or off campus).
Sharing medical marijuana with individuals who do not have a legitimate medical marijuana identification card is prohibited. Given that the use and/or possession of medical marijuana is prohibited on College property, any student or employees who legally obtains a medical marijuana ID card should contact the Office of Special Services for students and Office of Human Resources staff to discuss any other possible on-campus accommodations, excluding the ability to use or possess medical marijuana on College property.
Alcohol on Campus
College students, employees, guests, and facilities users, who are 21 years and older, may only possess, purchase, and consume alcoholic beverages at locations which are licensed to sell alcohol or where consuming it is legal and authorized. Alcohol consumption is prohibited on campus unless authorized for a special event with a permit.
Cannabis Items on Campus
College students, employees, guests, and facilities users, who are 21 years and older, may only possess, purchase, and utilize cannabis at locations which are licensed to sell cannabis or where utilizing it is legal and authorized. Cannabis use is prohibited on campus.
Availability of Employee and Student Counseling and Treatment Services
Early recognition and treatment of drug, alcohol, marijuana, hashish, or cannabis abuse are important for successful rehabilitation and for personal, family, and social interactions.
Employees are encouraged to seek help for problems related to alcohol, marijuana, hashish, cannabis, and substance abuse. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides confidential counseling services, free of charge, for direct assistance and confidential referral services for employees seeking help with a substance abuse problem.
Students are also encouraged to seek help for problems related to substance abuse through the Center for Counseling and Wellness Services (CWS). Employees and students may also refer to the College’s AMHCOD policy brochure for a list of additional College and community resources.
Enforcement and Violations
The College takes seriously its responsibility to educate its students and employees regarding the implications of alcohol, marijuana, hashish, cannabis items, and illicit drug use and abuse. While the College recognizes that drug dependency and alcoholism, marijuana, hashish, and cannabis items dependency are illnesses, and will provide channels of referrals for help, it is the employee’s or student’s responsibility to seek help.
The College is concerned that individuals make responsible decisions regarding the use of legal and illegal substances. All members of the campus community found in violation of the AMHCOD policy or state and federal alcohol and drug laws will be subject to disciplinary action.
If an employee is found to be in the possession of or under the influence of illicit/unprescribed drugs alcohol, marijuana, hashish, or cannabis items while working, disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with Policy 7009 Employee Conduct and Work Rules.
It is the employee’s responsibility to inform the supervisor if they are unable to fulfill their current job responsibilities due to taking legally prescribed and/or over-the-counter medications. An employee who fails to disclose this information and whose job performance, safety, or the efficient operation of work is negatively affected will be disciplined according to Policy 7009 Employee Conduct and Work Rules.
Use of alcohol, marijuana, hashish, cannabis items, and illicit drugs are linked to risk factors associated with incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Victims and witnesses are encouraged to report and cooperate with investigations of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking including incidents where there is an implication of alcohol, marijuana, hashish, cannabis items, or drug use. (See policy 7013 Sexual Misconduct and the Rights of Victims).
A student found violating the AMHCOD policy or violating the State’s underage drinking laws will be considered to have violated the Student Code of Conduct (see policy 8007 Student Code of Conduct) and will be subject to sanctions consistent with local, State, and Federal law, up to and including expulsion from the College. In accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, a student responsible for a violation of the drug policy, may be required to complete an educational assignment such as a workshop or online training course.
These sanctions do not supplant or supersede statutory or administrative law at the federal, state, county or municipal level. Strict compliance with such laws will be the responsibility of all organizations and individuals. Violators of the law may be subject to penalties imposed by a court or other empowered board, agency, or commission, in addition to any action taken by the College.
Commonly Abused Drugs and Potential Effects
References:
Rowan College of South Jersey Board of Trustees Policy Manual, 7015 Alcohol and Other Drugs, 7009 Employee Conduct and Work Rules, and 8007 Student Code of Conduct.